Monday, August 21 2006 11:35 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Washington: Americans prefer Senator and former First Lady Hillary Clinton as the Democrat candidate for Presidential polls in 2008 above other contenders from her party, according to a new poll.

The poll conducted by Time Magazine found that 53 per cent of respondents had a favourable impression of Clinton, which is higher than most of the best-known names in the field of potential Democratic contenders.

Most Americans agree that Hillary Clinton is intelligent (81%) and that she's politically moderate (67%), the magazine said in its new issue to hit stands tomorrow.

The wife of Bill Clinton is the Democratic nominee Americans would support the most if she runs for President, leading the field with 46 per cent, which is just ahead of former candidate Al Gore's 41. And a majority (53%) agree that she makes a generally favorable impression.

The poll also found that Republicans think she is a 'divider and not a uniter' (52%).

The magazine said quoting a Clinton friend that Bill Clinton is thinking about Hillary's presidential prospects all the time.

According Bernard Rapoport, a Texas insurance mogul and philanthropist, Bill is thinking about it and talking to a lot of people, promoting Hillary.

"This is something he is very focused on.He thinks that she should run, and he's going to do everything possible to help her," he told the magazine.

However, the magazine said that in a hypothetical matchup with the top Republican contender, US Senator John McCain, Clinton was defeated by two percentage points among registered voters.